La Vega to Cabarete and Cambios

You have all been so helpful, and since this will be our first trip to DR I need to ask just a couple of more questions. I understand there are a lot of pothole highways and roads, so does anyone know if the road between La Vega and Caabarete (Route 21) is in good condition, or would we be better off staying on the expressway and taking Route 5 (beyond Santiago to Puerto Plata and travelling down the beach to Caberete? My second question, are the cambio houses open on evenings and weekends. We will be arriving very late Friday night and because the banks will not be open at the airport, or the next day on Saturday, are the exchange houses open in Boca Chica, or is there an ATM in Boca Chica. Muchas gracias.

The road from La Vega to Cabarete was fine in March. I wouldn't take it at night simply for the desolation and rather crazy truck traffic, but if you are traveling during the day you can save a good hour, and it is a much more scenic route

Tom

The cambios in Boca Chica are open 7 days a week, including weekends and there is at least 1 that is open until about 9pm (Turitel, center of town on main strip), sometimes as late as 11pm. There are ATM machines throughout - the 3 big hotels Hamaca, Don Juan, and Boca Chica Resort, as well on the main strip at Banco Popular, Codetel, and TriCom.

Your hotel or the Hamaca Casino will likely change small amounts of money for you at just below the going rate and the bars, restaurants, casino, and stores in town will accept dollars also at just below the going rate, but your change will be in pesos.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

If you turn off the main higway into Boca Chica at the Burger King / Shell, the first Colmado on your left, just past the traffic triangle and before the small grocery store will change dollars, and they are open past nine.

Thanks Tom, Jim and Loren. One of the most important things on a vacation to me is to see the country, meet the people, but also to have it someone stress free, which is what you have helped me accomplish. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are looking forward to our trip.